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SupraTV 235 / 236

Optimized SD-MPEG-2 Cable Set-Top Box Processors

Overview

Overview

The SupraTV® 236 processor has an alternate pin-out which enables a single USB 2.0 high speed interface.

This architecture makes for an ideal solution for US cable Digital Transport Adapters (DTAs) and other entry cable Set-Top Boxes (e.g., China, India).

Combining the key functions required to support digital cable Set-Top Boxes, the SupraTV® processor enables products with enhanced flexibility and performance to be developed at the lowest possible system cost.

A high performance MIPS® processor provides access to Zoran and industry standard middleware and leverages previous SupraTV® software. With a comprehensive set of software drivers, proven tool kit and reference platforms, the SupraTV® family keeps product development times to a minimum.

In addition, Zoran has developed a full software solution to comply with Comcast’s DTA specifications.

SupraTV® 235 / 236 IC Block Diagram


* USB 2.0 high speed (SupraTV® 236 only)
** BTSC encoder (only available on selected part numbers)
 

Zoran SiliconSoftware® API Package

Zoran provides software support for the SupraTV® 235 processor and a documented Application Programming Interface. Based on the company’s extensive Set-Top Box, DVD and Digital TV experience, the API provides a stable base on which users can build their own applications.

The software stack, including the operating system (Nucleus+), is available on a royalty-free basis. Zoran’s SiliconSoftware API is supported from previous SupraTV® ICs.

Software portability from one generation to the next minimizes project design time and effort while enabling the software to be reused.

Other components of the standard DVB cable software package include an example Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), close captioning, DVB subtitles along with VBI and OSD Teletext decoding. The software package for US cable supports SCTE 40, broadcast cable subtitles, close captioning, parental controls and US specific VBI formats.

Features

SupraTV® 235 / 236 Processor Features Summary

CPU

  • MIPS® 4KEc CPU with MMU
  • 280 MHz / 375 Dhrystone MIPS®
 

Memory

  • 16 bit DDR DRAM controller
  • Serial flash interface to NOR and NAND flash memory
 

Demodulator

  • QAM Annex A/B
  • ADCs plus IF tuner interfaces
 

Transport stream demultiplexer

  • Programmable transport demultiplexer
  • One transport stream interface
  • DVB/DES/3DES descrambling
  • Support for US cable DTA security requirements
  • 1KB OTP memory and secure boot
  • One Smart Card interface with integrated protection & control
 

Video decoder

  • MPEG-2, ISO/IEC13818-2 (MP@ML) at up to 15Mbits/sec
 

Interfaces

  • USB 2.0 high speed (SupraTV® 236 only)
  • UARTs, I2C, IR, GPIOs
  • Integrated digital timing oscillator replacing VCXO (single crystal)

Graphics and video processing

  • Advanced DMA engine to support 2D graphics
  • 4, 8 bit CLUT, 16bit RGB with OSD, anti-flicker filtering
  • Flexible down/up-scaling of video
  • 5 graphic planes
 

Video Output

  • Integrated PAL/NTSC/SECAM Video Encoder
  • VBI (Teletext, WSS, CC, TVGI, Nielsen) and VPS reinsertion
  • Simultaneous Component, S-Video and RGB output
  • 4 video DACs
 

Audio support

  • Audio processor unit for standard audio formats
  • Stereo audio DACs integrated
  • Two-channel audio output using I2S or analog
  • SPDIF output
  • BTSC encoder (only available on selected part numbers)
 

Package

  • Small size 128-pin PQFP
 

Power

  • Less than one watt for US cable DTA application

Reference Platform

SupraTV® 235 / 236 Reference Platform

Optimized reference platforms are available for the SupraTV® 235 processor, targeting US cable DTAs and entry China cable Set-Top Boxes. An Integrated Development Environment includes a proven windows based GNU tool kit, Zoran’s SiliconSoftware® registration drivers, and applications that add functions such as flash memory burning, high performance code download, software protection, a sophisticated GUI development tool, (Embedded Wizard), and an automatic code generator.

The SupraTV® 235 platform significantly reduces the time taken to develop high performance, cost optimized cable Set-Top Box products. The SupraTV® 235 based reference platform supports all needed peripherals and is optimized for cost, power and size. In the US cable DTA application total system power (DC) is approximately 2.5W.

SupraTV® 235 / 236 Set Top Box Block Diagram

 

US Cable DTA Reference Design